Resolution Passed in Assembly For Takeover

Hyderabad: The Assembly on Saturday unanimously passed a resolution approving the state government’s decision to take over Phase 1 of the Hyderabad Metro Rail project from concessionaire L&T.

Introducing the decision in the Assembly, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said that the state government has taken this decision keeping in mind the larger public interest and in response to the growing demands from various sections of society for the extension of the Metro Rail network to the Hyderabad Core Urban Region (CURE). He said the government reviewed the hurdles and challenges currently faced in expanding the network before reaching the decision.

Revanth Redy noted that the Metro Phase I network is approximately 69 kilometers long. Proposals for the expansion of the 76.4 km Phase II(A) and the 86.1 km Phase II(B) have been submitted to Centrea. “The House is aware of the unique circumstances present regarding the expansion of the Hyderabad Metro. While Phase I is currently under private management, the House has taken into consideration the technical, legal and operational challenges involved in undertaking Phase II as a government project through joint partnership between the Central and state governments. To resolve the issues raised by the Centre, this House approves the state government’s decision to take over the Metro Phase I network from L&T,” Revanth Reddy said.

Stating that the government is preparing plans to improve public transportation in Hyderabad and help the city be recognized internationally, the official thanked the members for their unanimous support to the decision.

On the opposition’s request for debate, panel chairman Balu Naik announced that the resolution was passed by the Parliament. BRS floor vice president T. Harish Rao questioned how consensus was achieved as the Opposition was not allowed to speak. “This is nothing but a unilateral decision. We express our protest against this unilateral decision,” Harish Rao said.